Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14

Evangeline did not see Basil for the rest of the day. Headed by Lord Fernsby, the men had ridden or driven into the village to inspect the boys' school.

"I do not know how long we shall be," he said when pressed by Georgie. "I should think we will dine at the Bell."

This decision put the ladies of the party in high dudgeon, including Evangeline, for that meant they would have to make shift for their own entertainment that evening ("And on a day when I am feeling so well. It is too bad of them!" Georgie said feelingly).

At the same time, Evangeline couldn't help but feel relieved that she would not see Basil again until the morrow. She needed time. Time to compose her feelings and pack them snug back into their proper places in her heart to behave themselves.

She was grateful double-fold for gentlemen abandoning them that evening, for that meant she could apply herself to the task of coming up with a proper method of revenge upon them .

"What do you say to putting on a little theatrical for the gentlemen?" she proposed to the ladies before dinner. "If none of you are opposed to dressing like a man for a night, that is. Miss Hall, I think you will make a fine Sir Michael. Miss Owens, do you think you could act well enough as Mr. Camden to show him how ridiculous he really is? And Miss Elmsworth, you must play Mr. Stratham. We must make a satire that will have us in stitches while the men feel properly ashamed of themselves for going out and leaving us alone. What do you say?"

This scheme was heartily approved by all, even the older ladies. "I've heard it said by those who know me that I have a turn for words," Mrs. Browning said. "I will willingly lend my pen to write up a script."

"Yes, but if we are to dress up as men, where shall we get the clothes?" Miss Owens wondered.

Evangeline looked to Georgie and shared a wicked grin with her. "I am sure the mistress of the house and I can think of something."

Thus, a complete ransacking of the absent men's rooms was accomplished by the women. The rest of the evening was spent hidden away in Evangeline and Georgie's bedchamber, plotting their revenge well into the evening.

During the exciting hullaballoo, Evangeline stepped out and made her way to a saloon downstairs that had been designated for the ladies' particular use. There was a certain cluster of ribbons in one of the work baskets that was needed.

Guided by the soft glow of a single candle, she entered the room and was surprised to find light already within. Embers glowed in the hearth, but on the table in the center of the room was a candelabra next to a decanter of brandy. Sitting next to the table, lifting a glass to his lips, was Basil .

"Basi—Morley, what are you doing in here?"

Basil tossed off the brandy and swept his hand in front of him. Several cards lay sprawled out on the table in a game of solitaire.

"Yes, but what are you doing here?" she asked again, walking over to him. "Need I remind you this room is for the ladies? Why are you not in the village with the others?"

Basil sighed but did not look up, pouring another glass for himself instead. His chin and jawline looked rough. He would need a shave in the morning. Even in the soft candlelight, he looked tired. More than tired. He looked weary, laden down with some internal burden.

"Are you well?" she asked.

Basil swirled the brandy around in his glass before answering. "The village did not suit me tonight. So, I rode back and found that the rest of the company did not suit me either, meaning no offense. Fancy a game of piquet?"

"Fancy a—no, I thank you. I came here only to retrieve something."

"Oh, come now. Just a few tricks and then I'm for bed. You name the stakes. Anything you like."

She raised an eyebrow. "Anything? I do not think you could afford that. I play high, you know."

A ghost of a laugh escaped him. "I told you I'm in the flush now. Have been for some time. But your concern for my financial security touches me. We could always wager something non-monetary, like last time."

The rose garden. "Last time?"

"The vanquished must suffer a kiss from the victor. Anywhere she chooses."

"Anywhere she chooses? If you believe I am going to win, why bother playing?"

He shrugged and lifted his glass, a smile creeping up the side of his mouth.

"How much have you had to drink?"

"Hardly any. Only a trifle disguised, I assure you. You?"

"Less than that. Much less." Though there was plenty of wine being shared by the ladies up in her room as they prepared their theatrical.

"Come on, then. Sit down. Unless you are needed back straightaway? What is it you're doing up there?"

"Nothing," she said a little too quickly.

"Nothing, eh? Yes, it sounds like nothing." He cracked a grin, gathered up the cards to shuffle and nodded to an empty chair. "Same wager?"

Evangeline hesitated. If she lost again…well, as she looked back, losing had not been so very bad after all. Even as the victor, Basil had not claimed his prize without her leave. If she lost, she would still be in control.

"Very well. Quickly, though."

Basil nodded enthusiastically. "Right. No thinking. Only speed."

The game moved so fast, only instinct ruled as they played. Both she and Basil were evenly matched, tricks going first to one, then the other until the final two tricks went to Evangeline.

Basil threw his cards down in disgust. "Beaten."

"You did not let me win, did you?"

"Of course not," he said, offended. "Do you think I ever try to lose? Think that is the way I fill my pockets, taking pity on my opponent?"

She lifted her hands. "Only making certain. My apologies. You say you like me so much, you may have thought you were doing me a favor."

"I do not like anyone that much," he said gruffly. "Brandy might have had a bigger say than I care to admit, though," he added, lifting a brow at the decanter, which was more than half empty.

Evangeline chuckled. "Never cross me in your cups, Puck. You will come off the worse for it."

Basil huffed a laugh out. "I daresay. Well, then, shall we repair to the rose garden?"

"The rose garden? Whatever for—no! Basil, have you gone mad?"

"Worked out well the last time. Probably work out even better now. No fear of interruptions."

Evangeline shook her head, amiably vexed. What he said was true, but if they were somehow caught in the dead of night, the consequential gossip would be tenfold. "You are mad. Mad and drunk. I shan't listen to you. Where is that work basket? I have been away too long."

Basil stood as she did. "I shall pretend you are only worried about catching a chill. Find your ribbons but remember to take your prize as well. I am wholly at your service."

He bowed and put his hands behind his back, waiting while she found the ribbons. She bunched the bundle in one hand and went back to stand in front of him.

She studied him for a moment, asking herself again why she had ever agreed to such stakes. She could not see the boundaries of their friendship properly now. They were blurred, which was a little frightening.

More frightening still, part of her liked it. She had not felt this playful with a man, well, ever.

But where to kiss him?

She circled him, studying him up and down. She circled a second time. Basil followed her with his gaze and chuckled. Was that a nervous timbre she heard in his voice?

She stopped directly behind him. He made to turn but she put her arms on his shoulders. "Ah, ah. Stay where you are."

She raised herself to her tip toes and planted a kiss on the back of his head.

Basil snorted and turned to face her. "Curious place to choose."

"You reek too much of brandy. Be grateful it was not your elbow."

She reached for her candle on the table and turned to go.

"We could always postpone until I am in a more decent state," Basil called after her.

She whirled around. "Lower your voice. And no. The debt has been paid." She went to the door, but before opening it, paused, and turned back around. "Archery next?" she asked on a playful whim.

In the dim candlelight she could just make out his perplexed expression. "Beg pardon?"

"Archery. Same wager?"

His eyes, already brightened from the brandy, glittered all the more as he comprehended her proposal. "Very well. Though be warned, I shall not go easy on you."

"What, do you think I will?"